Linkedin recommendations: Make sure they appear genuine.

If you aren't using it as a MAJOR tool in your search efforts, you MUST start today. This minute. Now.

But I know you are, so let's just carry on and talk about Linkedin recommendations.

Holy wow, can they ever be a valuable commodity. Guess who is Googling you to see if you're worth consideration? Uh, yes. That'd be recruiters, HR people, hiring managers and other people who can influence your landing a coolio job.

So it goes without saying that, the more glowing the reviews? The better things could work out for you.

HOWEVER, and this is important, oh job seeker..and something I see with frequency...

Don't chase down everyone you know and strong-arm them into singing your praises all at once.

I am forever reviewing Linkedin profiles of people who went from ZERO recommendations to like 20, all in the space of four days.

What does that tell a recruiter or hiring manager? Here is what it tells them:

"Hello. I just pressured everyone I know into saying nice things about me. In fact, I paid them. OK, I even wrote a couple of them for my pals, and they just cut and pasted them up here. Is that bad?"

People, please...

Let.

Your.

Recommendations.

Grow.

Organically.

If you know you're going to be launching a search in the near future, ask a short list (say, 2-4) of people to write a Linkedin recommendation for you. Then wait a while, and ask a couple more. Better yet, when you provide excellent work or services? Just make a habit of asking for recommendations.

Bottom line? When I can tell you raced off in a mad panic and asked everyone in the world for Linkedin recommendations? I give them less credence.